October 15, 2014

Good Books, Good Friends

There was a period not too long ago when I did not have strong friendships in my life, though I desired them.

We had just moved a into over the border into Pennsylvania from Maryland. We were forty minutes from our church and a bit further from my husband's work. My former co-workers were no longer near us. It was a lonely time.It was about five years ago that I met several of my best friends. It was after that period of feeling the deficit of friendship in my life.

I'm not sure if I even left any impression on them. I'll just be thankful they didn't judge me in all my frumpiness.

These two ladies constantly remind that first impressions are deceiving. The hippie? Well, she's not, even if she uses cloth diapers. The stylish friend? She wears yoga pants just like the rest of us. (In fact, she taught me what yoga pants really are just last weekend...because I'm that clueless.)

"Good books, like good friends, are few and chosen; the more select the more enjoyable." - Bronson Alcott

When you have a few well-chosen friends, you have enough. Each friend was worth the wait!

My library may be a bit overflowing, but I would rather have a few good books than a hundred mediocre books that are not worth rereading.

Disclaimer: I have not read Bronson Alcott's Tablets, nor do I intend to. Louisa May Alcott is often quoted having written this, but in my research, it seemed she was quoting her father. May I recommend Little Women if you have never read it?

If you could only own five books, which would you choose?

Oh, yes. I would like to begin reflecting more often on a quote from a good book. What do you think? What is your favorite quote?

5 comments:

Hmmmm...only 5 books? I know that one would be Barbara Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible. Love that book. My favorite quote? "When the world shakes you up and spills you out, what comes out is what you're full of.